Lead - Circular Economy

Job Description

The Circular Economy Lead will lead the development and implementation of the company’s circular economy strategy, with a primary focus on reducing waste, optimizing resource use, and maximizing the lifecycle value of products. This role requires a visionary leader who will work cross-functionally to integrate circular principles into business operations, engage with stakeholders, and drive environmental impact.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership:
• Lead the development, communication, and execution of the company’s circular economy strategy.
• Identify and implement innovative approaches to shift from a linear to a circular business model.
• Drive initiatives that reduce the environmental impact of the company’s products and services through product lifecycle management, repairability, reuse, and recycling.
• Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of circular economy initiatives.
• Cross-functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with product design, manufacturing, and procurement teams to implement circular principles in product design and materials sourcing. Collaborate with supply chain and logistics teams to identify opportunities for waste reduction and material recovery.
• Partner with marketing and communications to raise awareness of the company’s circular economy efforts and showcase sustainability achievements.
• Waste Reduction and Resource Optimization:
• Oversee and continuously improve the company’s waste management systems and ensure alignment with circular economy goals.
• Implement waste diversion strategies, such as reducing, reusing, and recycling, to minimize landfill contributions.
• Promote the use of secondary materials and support the transition to a closed-loop system across business operations.
• Sustainability Reporting & Compliance:
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory requirements, and environmental standards to ensure the company is compliant and at the forefront of circular economy practices. Develop and manage sustainability reporting, including the collection of relevant data for reporting on circularity and waste management performance. Liaise with government bodies, NGOs, and industry groups to stay updated on best practices and circular economy regulations.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy:
• Lead external partnerships with suppliers, NGOs, and academic institutions to advance circular economy practices and promote collaboration. Advocate for policies and frameworks that support circular economy initiatives and waste reduction at local, regional, and global levels. Represent the company at conferences, workshops, and other events to build the brand’s reputation as a leader in circular economy and waste management.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team focused on circular economy and waste management.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in waste management and circular practices.
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Business, or a related field. A master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., Circular Economy, Sustainable Business) is preferred.
• Experience: At least 10 years of experience in circular economy roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity. Experience in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, or consumer goods is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of circular economy principles and practices, including product life cycle analysis, eco-design, material flow analysis, and closed-loop systems.
• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic sustainability initiatives with measurable impact.
• Expertise in waste management strategies, including recycling, composting, and responsible disposal practices.
• Familiarity with relevant sustainability standards, frameworks, and certifications (e.g., ISO 14001, Cradle to Cradle, EPR).
• Excellent project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives and timelines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify opportunities for circularity improvements.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
  
  
  

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WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves. So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.

As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous days annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.

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